Okay so it is back on, hopefully they can get this one right this time. (And award it to the HH-71A of course! ) I do like Young's comments on the CV-22 though, that's the most logical choice for a CSAR role, IMO.

Quote:The Pentagon is looking to have its new combat, search and rescue (CSAR) aircraft requirements by September.

Defense acquisition czar Ashton Carter officially canceled the $15 billion CSAR-X replacement helicopter program May 28, following years of controversy surrounding certain requirements development, as well as bidder protests that overturned the initial contract award to Boeing.

Quoting AirRyan (Thread starter):I do like Young's comments on the CV-22 though, that's the most logical choice for a CSAR role, IMO.

Sure you did not put the smiley in the wrong place?
They need to find a way to arm the a/c beyond the gun turret under the cockpit, and the gun in the rear ramp well.... Reality for this a/c is that its primary strength is its greatest weakness in arming the a/c for combat, cannot have guns on the sides due to the engines.
But another question, unless I'm not thinking straight, this a/c will always have to be escorted, based on its speed and range, what a/c currently exist in inventory to do the job? Maybe that's why their is interest in a new COIN a/c, certainely the only helo's in inventory with the speed and range to attempt to keep up are what the Ch53 and the Chinook?